The Wars Questions and Answers
The Wars
What three symbols does Findley use in The Wars to illustrate the horrors of war and the depth of memory?
Three symbols that Timothy Findley uses in The Wars are horses, fire, and injured legs. Horses, which figure prominently throughout the novel, stand for Ross’s compassion. Fire stands for...
The Wars
How is violence represented in The Wars?
Violence in The Wars is depicted as both chaotic and orderly. The chaos stems from the First World War's devastation, causing mass death and societal upheaval. Conversely, violence provides order,...
The Wars
Describe the romance between Robert Ross and Barbara d'Orsey in The Wars.
Robert Ross and Barbara d'Orsey's romance is marked by intense sexual attraction and evolves over several years, beginning in England during Robert's military service. Their relationship intensifies...
The Wars
How does the opening of The Wars by Timothy Findley shape interpretation of the text?
The opening of Findley's novel The Wars helps readers determine the genre and some of the main themes of the novel, as well as to interpret the character of Robert as someone who has already seen and...
The Wars
How does Timothy Findley's The Wars depict romance or marriage as tied to violence?
In The Wars by Timothy Findley, romance is extinguished, intensified, or transformed into sexual violence and desperation by the constant proximity of death and disfigurement.
The Wars
How is sexuality viewed in The Wars and what is its significance in terms of power and innocence?
The brutal culture of war seems to link to brutal expressions of sexuality. Robert is gang raped, and he spies on a war hero’s sadomasochistic sex with another man. Prior to the war, Robert was not...
The Wars
What is the significance of Lady Sorrel D'Orsey's ghost story and the symbolism of candles in part 4 of The Wars?
In Part 4, the ghost story of Lady Sorrel d'Orsey parallels Robert's experience, highlighting the enduring impact of war on individuals. Lady Sorrel's care for her wounded lover, the Earl of Bath,...
The Wars
How does conformity or nonconformity relate to social concerns in The Wars by Timothy Findley?
Conformity and nonconformity in Timothy Findley's The Wars highlight social concerns through Robert's experiences. Initially innocent, Robert struggles to adapt to the violent, sexualized environment...
The Wars
Analyze Robert Ross's identity formation and his need for privacy in The Wars.
In The Wars, Robert Ross's identity develops as more and more traumatic incidents unfold in his life. He treasures his privacy because he is unable to verbalize what he feels as a result of these...
The Wars
Who does the narrator interview in The Wars by Timothy Findley and how do they shape our view of Robert?
In The Wars by Timothy Findley, the narrator pieces together Robert Ross’s story through various documents and interviews. Key interviews include Rodwell, a soldier who shares Robert's compassion for...
The Wars
How would you describe Robert's relationship with his sister, Rowena, in The Wars?
Robert's relationship with his sister is one that is important in terms of demonstrating that Robert has a general love for life. This is demonstrated in the way that he insists that Rowena's...
The Wars
How does irony contribute to larger ideas in The Wars and "The Loons"?
In The Wars, it can be argued that it's ironic that Robert gets upset over the bunnies when the war he’s fated to fight in is much more murderous. In “The Loons,” irony can be seen when Piquette is...